"I'm faced with many challenges in my life currently, however, the biggest challenge that is most felt is the lack of money for school fees and other basic needs. Since we depend on farming for money, it has been very challenging since there have been prolonged droughts in our area which has led to low productivity. I have 3 children; Vinny, Faith, and Alonso who are in secondary school and it is very difficult to get their tuition fees. This stresses me up so much especially when they are sent home."

"This support has played a crucial role in facilitating the acquisition of a sack of maize, a precious resource that ensures a consistent and abundant food supply for my household. This stands in stark contrast to the past when we lived on a hand-to-mouth basis. It signifies a notable departure from the hardships we once faced, where the constant struggle to meet ends was fueled by unreliable sources of income. Additionally, I bought building materials so that I can renovate my house. I am filled with overwhelming gratitude for the support we've received, as it has significantly enhanced our overall quality of life."

"The assistance from GiveDirectly has significantly influenced our lives, providing us the flexibility to use the funds based on our specific needs, a distinctive aspect compared to other organizations with more rigid requirements. Additionally, they imparted valuable knowledge on safeguarding our funds and protecting potential fraudsters. As of now, I haven't identified any areas that require correction, and I am grateful for the support and guidance provided by GiveDirectly."

"What impressed me the most was the freedom we had in deciding how to allocate the funds based on our individual needs, enabling us to fulfill our dreams over time. As of now, I haven't identified any areas that require improvement in the program's operation."

"The organization excels in empowering the less fortunate in society by elevating their living standards through various business endeavors. Additionally, the unconditional nature of the transfer facilitated the flexible use of funds according to our specific needs. Thus far, I have not identified any aspects that require correction in their approach to their work."

"Living with my family of six in a single room has posed a long-standing challenge due to limited space. It has been our prayer to find a solution that would enable us to construct a new house. With the second transfer, I took a significant step towards this goal by purchasing 18 iron sheets valued at $239, 18 building poles for $54, and roofing frames costing $100. The additional room will not only provide more living space but also allow us to have a separate kitchen, bringing more order to our living arrangements. I spent $11 for food, including 16kg of maize and 5kg of beans, which we are still using to date. Another $20 went towards household goods, including toiletries, to enhance our comfort and maintain a high level of hygiene in our living space. Previously, I had been reliant on charcoal burning and occasional casual labor, which, though hard to come by, helped in acquiring essential household needs. During tougher times, I had to sell part of my goat herd and use the proceeds to purchase food and other necessities."

"Before GiveDirectly, I relied on sporadic casual labor, which was hard to come by as many people were out seeking daily income. While I could manage my daily food while living alone, pursuing other projects to enhance my growth seemed impossible, as my survival was hand-to-mouth. GiveDirectly has brought about a positive change in the past few months, and I am pleased to have added five more goats, valued at $250, to the two I already had. My plan is to breed them and gradually increase the herd to contribute to future household bill payments and my children's school fees through the sale of the offspring. I also allocated $50 to purchase food for my current family of two after getting married, making my living situation less lonely. Welcoming my wife home, I covered her $5 transport cost and invested $25 in a new mattress, bringing comfort to our nights compared to the past when I slept on old rags and hides spread on the floor. Additionally, I settled a $100 debt at the nearby shop where I used to obtain food on credit. On a more personal note, I spent $25 on a memorial ceremony for my parents, who passed away years ago, contributing alongside my sibling and other family members. It's heartening to see positive changes and be able to contribute to meaningful events in my life."

"Cash support has proven to be the most impactful assistance one could receive, turning our goals into reality. GiveDirectly has facilitated this for the first time in my lifetime, significantly contributing to the success of our plans. Despite initial trust issues that some had upon enrollment, the organization not only delivered as promised but also granted us the freedom to spend the funds as we saw fit. The surprise and satisfaction within the community were palpable. I sincerely hope that GiveDirectly continues its commendable work in other communities, employing the same effective approach they used for us. The inclusive enrollment process, coupled with clear communication from the visiting staff, minimized complaints and ensured that everyone had a fair chance to benefit from this transformative initiative. My prayer is for GiveDirectly to extend its positive impact to more communities, bringing about positive change just as it did for us."

"Upon receiving the second transfer, I immediately thought about creating a more spacious and comfortable home for my family of three. I allocated funds wisely, investing $235 in 24 iron sheets, $105 in roofing frames, and $42 in 14 poles to start the construction process. Currently underway, I anticipate the completion of our new household by the end of this month, enabling us to move out of our current small living space and repurpose it as a kitchen. Additionally, I expanded our livestock holdings by adding two goats valued at $80, bringing the total to 10. This strategic move serves as a long-term investment, as I plan to sell the offspring to cover household expenses and contribute to my children's school fees in the future. The support from GiveDirectly has been instrumental in these transformative steps, and I am grateful for the positive changes in our lives. With the remaining transfers, I look forward to making further improvements for my family."

"Upon receiving my second transfer, we were eager to enhance our farming activities, especially with the piece of land we own next to the river. We had previously invested in a generator to pump water for irrigation, but we were short on pipes. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we were able to allocate $40 for pipes, $11 for five liters of generator fuel, and $25 for tomato seeds, which are currently thriving in the nursery bed. I also invested $36 in acquiring additional farming equipment, including a knapsack sprayer, slasher, file, and gumboots. The farm is flourishing, and I am optimistic about a bountiful harvest by the end of the season. Moreover, I settled a $25 debt I owed to a neighbor for farm inputs. Additionally, I used $95 for essential household goods, such as sugar, tea leaves, wheat flour, cooking oil, and a sack of maize, catering to my family of 8. To transport these items from town to my home, I incurred a $26 cost. Furthermore, I contributed $100 to cover the surveyor's cost for subdividing our land and saved the remainder to manage the tomato nursery bed until transplantation to the farm. Overall, the support from GiveDirectly has not only empowered our farming endeavors but also allowed us to address crucial needs within our family and community. I am truly grateful for the positive impact on our lives."